Michael Broomhead

The Conservatives have today promised to create 30,000 extra jobs in the East Midlands over the next five years if they win the General Election.

A £5.2billion investment in transport projects, the construction of up to 30,000 new homes and improvements to education in the region were also promised by prime minister David Cameron and chancellor George Osborne.

Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Chancellor George Osborne (right) address workers at the Bombardier Transportation site in Derby, where Mr Osborne announced �5.2 billion investment in road and rail projects in the Midlands as part of a plan he said could create 300,000 new jobs in the region by 2020. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday February 12, 2015. Improvements could include the electrification of rail lines linking Birmingham to Bristol and Derby, as well as the widening of sections of the M1 and M5 motorways. See PA story POLITICS Midlands. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The pair are visiting the Bombardier factory in Derby to announce the Tories’ long-term economic plan for the Midlands.

Mr Cameron said: “We are building a more resilient economy to benefit hard-working people across the Midlands, from its great cities to the stunning countryside of the Derbyshire Dales.

“We are already seeing more jobs and greater growth in the region, but we want to see more.

“That’s what our long-term economic plan will do – it will help the region build on its success and create new opportunities through massive investment in infrastructure and housing.”

Mr Osborne added: “Under this Government, the Midlands has been growing and creating jobs faster than the average for the whole of the UK.

“The challenge now is to sustain this.”

Transport secretary and Derbyshire Dales MP Patrick McLoughlin said he was “delighted” to see Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne in the county.

He added: “What we have seen from the visit is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to helping people in Derbyshire and across the Midlands get on with their everyday business.”

George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire chambers of commerce, said: “This is very good news for the region and businesses will welcome it.

“The Midlands is an important part of the UK economy.

“It’s significant and pleasing that Government is recognising and supporting our key sectors through investment.”